At the tail end of his interaction with the media at the end of the third day, Virat Kohli was asked about whether India would fancy batting a second time on Chepauk's flaky, wafer-biscuit wicket. "Definitely not," he said to much laughter around him.

Thanks to Moises Henriques and Nathan Lyon, though not in the manner Australia hoped on Sunday, India will definitely have to bat again in this Test. They will go back into their dressing room thanking their captain for a double-century of monumental speed, size and importance which gave them a lead of 192, against Australia. Anything less now appears a trifle.

Two Indian spinners, Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja, were able to put in a far more commanding performance than they did in the first innings. There would logically be two factors at work here - the nature of the wicket and the inexperience of their opposition. More than assistance, the surface offered active intervention. The Chepauk wicket now resembles those dirt lanes that wind between fields in the Indian countryside. With every passing day, its pristine, clean core has shrunk into a smaller and smaller oval shape. With its turn, bite, zip and bounce of varying predictability, what the Australian batsmen found in the second innings was a surface so alien to them, that it would be like going out to bat on the moon.

Jadeja, whose tight line brought him 2 for 68 in 26 overs, shrugged. "I think this wicket is fine for Test cricket," he told the media in Hindi. "In Indian conditions, this is the kind of wicket there is. You can only win Test matches if you take 20 wickets, don't you? There's not much damage on the centre of the wicket for the fast bowlers. Whatever is happening is from their footmarks."

India's two seam bowlers mostly have had to play fielders and tailenders. In the Australian second innings, Ishant was brought on as late as the 76th over. A joke that went around in ESPNcricinfo's ball-by-ball commentary that he was merely turning up to use up the overs before the second new ball, turned out to be true. The first three overs with the new ball were sent down by R Ashwin and Jadeja.

Jadeja is only into his second Test and he remembers Nagpur where he made his Test debut against England late last year. The pitch was slow and offered little assistance. Chepauk to him, trying to find his feet in the Test team, must be a candy store. With much going on by way of unpredictability, the spinners floated the ball in and found a smooth groove.

Jadeja's line stuck to off and off and middle stump, he tried to prevent himself from slipping down leg against the right-handers and used the familiar repetitiveness of his action to slip in variations using a stump-to-stump line. Harbhajan Singh, who ended the day with 2 for 55 from his 27 overs, found himself on familiar turf, bowling fuller and he said later on television, with more energy. "I wasn't following through from my action in the first innings, I was bowling and standing, not pushing myself. We bowled well as a unit today."

Apart from individual effort and attention, bowlers snap into efficient collective discipline when the wicket is helpful and the opposition flounders. India were well served all around - Phillip Hughes will have nightmares about the Jadeja biter that shot up into his face and nipped his glove. Michael Clarke fell when one kept low from Ashwin and shot through to hit him on the pad. Matthew Wade tried to sweep a straight ball from Harbhajan after 23 minutes of survival, Peter Siddle did the same against Jadeja.

The total either player wanted India to chase on Tuesday did not extend beyond 75. India-Australia Tests in Chennai in recent times have had a habit of being, by and large, dramas of excruciating tension. The 2001 series went down to the final session of the final day. In 2004, Australia came to Chennai 1-0 up in the series. India were set 229 to win and the boundary off the last ball of the fourth day cannot be forgotten. Virender Sehwag, that most sociable of competitors, bashed Glenn McGrath down the ground for four. He tucked his bat under his arm and walked off stone-faced, without a sideways glance at anyone. India needed 210 more to equal the series. Except it rained on day five and washed out play entirely.

That is not about to happen because that was October and we are well into February. The worst the weather report says for day five is 'partly cloudy sky' with the chance of rain being 'nil.'

This Chepauk wicket was something like the one that was on offer for the Test match between India and West Indies in 1974. India were bowled out for 190 odd with Vishwanath playing a superlative innings of 97 n.o I think. That was against Andy Roberts,Boyce, Julien and Holder. West Indies scored got a lead of about 3 or 4 only thanks to Prasanna and Bedi. Then India thanks to Gaekwad, India scored a decent 250 odd in the second innings. Roberts Boyce and Co more than any particular spinner took the wickets. West Indies needed about 250 odd to win and Prasanna and Bedi bowled them out for about 100 odd leaving India the winners by a good margin. The point is that that wicket had something for all kinds of bowlers and good technically sound and fearless batsmen scored runs as well. On this wicket also Clarke, Dhoni, Henriques, and Cowan scored well. Sachin also got back to a sembleance of form.The point is that the wicket was a fair wicket even if some balls behaved oddly.

natarsx
on February 26, 2013, 12:30 GMT

On one hand we praise a wicket on the east coast of Australia that its bouncy and zippy - the ball could go for 6 byes - let alone it doesnt carry the batsmen along with it. And here on the other hand we whine about a wicket that has got variable bounce. How different is this one? I cant understand why are you crying. I am not sure if I remember anyone complaining that Aussie pacers with the help of the Perth wicket got all the 10 Indian wickets. If it happens in Australia, its good for cricket, but if it happens in India.. huh nah - not good - what kind of an attitude is that?
Point is that any international player should be ready to face any kind of wicket. Hats off to Clarke and Henriques - they played well in this pitch. If Hughes could get nightmares on bouncer's from spinners he is not fit to play at this level which is the same as any batsman from India not ready to face Pattinson on Perth wicket.
So pls stop whining. Good that you have not blamed IPL for this as well.

Tigg
on February 26, 2013, 12:19 GMT

England showed that there is no massive threat from th Indian spinners, even on rank turners. You just have to be willing to be patient. Something that goes against the attacking style of nearly the entire Aussie batting order.

GrumpiusMaximus
on February 26, 2013, 12:05 GMT

For those discussing the pitch situation, I'll add my two Penneth.

Any team is going to create a pitch that suits their playing style. English wickets favour seam, Indian wickets favour spin. That's been the case for decades and I see no problem with it at all. The issue I have with the situation in India was that the BCCI deliberately blocked England playing warm-up matches on spin-friendly wickets against high-class spin bowlers. That is deeply unsporting. Would the Australian board actively prevent a visiting team playing on seam wickets against good seam bowlers? Would the South African board? No. They would not.

I take no issue with the Indian team over this. They are good players and produced an excellent game of Cricket against Australia. A really cracking match - but the BCCI have a lot to answer for.

pr3m
on February 26, 2013, 11:57 GMT

I can't believe how unsporting Australians can be. Just because a pitch supports spinners, we have a comment asking why fast bowlers are being played? Did you even see the game? Or is there a spin phobia due to which they should always bowl after the fast bowlers? Really silly comments here.

As for all calls of the pitch being a clay court, etc. what a load of crap! Looks like everybody follows Warne on his Instagram, cos neither did he nor did any of the commentators play a single ball on it. The ones who did, like Clarke, said it wasn't as bad as it was made out to be. A guy made a double century in 240 balls! Even in this report, we have jsut two wickets falling off balls that misbehaved. You can't have two misbehaving balls, then what's the point of it being an old pitch?

Paul_Rampley
on February 26, 2013, 11:33 GMT

We prepare fast and bouncy tracks when the Indians come so they are entitled to do the same. Plenty of runs were scored on both sides so we need to stop complaining on the pitch and look forward to the second test where we can make a comeback. Lineup hopefully will be Watson, Warner, Hughes, Clarke, Khawaja, Moses, Wade, Pattinson, Siddle, Lyon, Doherty.

ooper_cut
on February 26, 2013, 11:22 GMT

I don't think India are way ahead of Australia and will clinch this series. Except for Dhoni's innings (which might not happen again) and Sachin's 81, the aussies played better cricket. Kohli should be more hungry for runs and not throw away his wicket so easily after getting a 100. Openers are regularly going to give us a bad start. Did anyone notice sehwag wearing glasses ? I think it is time for him to bid adieu with one final fearless finish. Dhawan should be a certainty for the next match. The Aussies were willing to fight the elements, India still do not have the fight in them.

usernames
on February 26, 2013, 11:14 GMT

These Australian fans are hilarious. Who complained when Ashwin got no help in Australia? That's right -- no one. We didn't expect him to get any help. Here, your premier fast bowler gets some wickets, the rest don't. Why do you expect that every fast bowler, Tim Bresnan and Mashrafe Mortaza included, should get a fifer every time they play in India? I'd really love to hear an answer to that. I'd say that these pitches are a lot better than the ones in Australia; the best succeed and the rest don't.

Busie1979
on February 26, 2013, 11:11 GMT

The great thing about cricket is that the field and the wickets vary. Nothing wrong with this wicket. If Australia has failed to adapt, that is their fault and their problem.

I think shield venue should be required to prepare a dustbowl in one first class game each year to prepare Australian players for these kinds of conditions. With drop in pitches that should be doable.

Otherwise, this kind of thing will happen on every tour to the subcontinent.

on February 26, 2013, 10:23 GMT

I think the pitch deteriorated considerably on day 4. Before that it was a good batting track. This is how it is in India. Australia better get used to it or ready for a whitewash.

Sir.Ivor
on February 26, 2013, 4:46 GMT

This Chepauk wicket was something like the one that was on offer for the Test match between India and West Indies in 1974. India were bowled out for 190 odd with Vishwanath playing a superlative innings of 97 n.o I think. That was against Andy Roberts,Boyce, Julien and Holder. West Indies scored got a lead of about 3 or 4 only thanks to Prasanna and Bedi. Then India thanks to Gaekwad, India scored a decent 250 odd in the second innings. Roberts Boyce and Co more than any particular spinner took the wickets. West Indies needed about 250 odd to win and Prasanna and Bedi bowled them out for about 100 odd leaving India the winners by a good margin. The point is that that wicket had something for all kinds of bowlers and good technically sound and fearless batsmen scored runs as well. On this wicket also Clarke, Dhoni, Henriques, and Cowan scored well. Sachin also got back to a sembleance of form.The point is that the wicket was a fair wicket even if some balls behaved oddly.

natarsx
on February 26, 2013, 12:30 GMT

On one hand we praise a wicket on the east coast of Australia that its bouncy and zippy - the ball could go for 6 byes - let alone it doesnt carry the batsmen along with it. And here on the other hand we whine about a wicket that has got variable bounce. How different is this one? I cant understand why are you crying. I am not sure if I remember anyone complaining that Aussie pacers with the help of the Perth wicket got all the 10 Indian wickets. If it happens in Australia, its good for cricket, but if it happens in India.. huh nah - not good - what kind of an attitude is that?
Point is that any international player should be ready to face any kind of wicket. Hats off to Clarke and Henriques - they played well in this pitch. If Hughes could get nightmares on bouncer's from spinners he is not fit to play at this level which is the same as any batsman from India not ready to face Pattinson on Perth wicket.
So pls stop whining. Good that you have not blamed IPL for this as well.

Tigg
on February 26, 2013, 12:19 GMT

England showed that there is no massive threat from th Indian spinners, even on rank turners. You just have to be willing to be patient. Something that goes against the attacking style of nearly the entire Aussie batting order.

GrumpiusMaximus
on February 26, 2013, 12:05 GMT

For those discussing the pitch situation, I'll add my two Penneth.

Any team is going to create a pitch that suits their playing style. English wickets favour seam, Indian wickets favour spin. That's been the case for decades and I see no problem with it at all. The issue I have with the situation in India was that the BCCI deliberately blocked England playing warm-up matches on spin-friendly wickets against high-class spin bowlers. That is deeply unsporting. Would the Australian board actively prevent a visiting team playing on seam wickets against good seam bowlers? Would the South African board? No. They would not.

I take no issue with the Indian team over this. They are good players and produced an excellent game of Cricket against Australia. A really cracking match - but the BCCI have a lot to answer for.

pr3m
on February 26, 2013, 11:57 GMT

I can't believe how unsporting Australians can be. Just because a pitch supports spinners, we have a comment asking why fast bowlers are being played? Did you even see the game? Or is there a spin phobia due to which they should always bowl after the fast bowlers? Really silly comments here.

As for all calls of the pitch being a clay court, etc. what a load of crap! Looks like everybody follows Warne on his Instagram, cos neither did he nor did any of the commentators play a single ball on it. The ones who did, like Clarke, said it wasn't as bad as it was made out to be. A guy made a double century in 240 balls! Even in this report, we have jsut two wickets falling off balls that misbehaved. You can't have two misbehaving balls, then what's the point of it being an old pitch?

Paul_Rampley
on February 26, 2013, 11:33 GMT

We prepare fast and bouncy tracks when the Indians come so they are entitled to do the same. Plenty of runs were scored on both sides so we need to stop complaining on the pitch and look forward to the second test where we can make a comeback. Lineup hopefully will be Watson, Warner, Hughes, Clarke, Khawaja, Moses, Wade, Pattinson, Siddle, Lyon, Doherty.

ooper_cut
on February 26, 2013, 11:22 GMT

I don't think India are way ahead of Australia and will clinch this series. Except for Dhoni's innings (which might not happen again) and Sachin's 81, the aussies played better cricket. Kohli should be more hungry for runs and not throw away his wicket so easily after getting a 100. Openers are regularly going to give us a bad start. Did anyone notice sehwag wearing glasses ? I think it is time for him to bid adieu with one final fearless finish. Dhawan should be a certainty for the next match. The Aussies were willing to fight the elements, India still do not have the fight in them.

usernames
on February 26, 2013, 11:14 GMT

These Australian fans are hilarious. Who complained when Ashwin got no help in Australia? That's right -- no one. We didn't expect him to get any help. Here, your premier fast bowler gets some wickets, the rest don't. Why do you expect that every fast bowler, Tim Bresnan and Mashrafe Mortaza included, should get a fifer every time they play in India? I'd really love to hear an answer to that. I'd say that these pitches are a lot better than the ones in Australia; the best succeed and the rest don't.

Busie1979
on February 26, 2013, 11:11 GMT

The great thing about cricket is that the field and the wickets vary. Nothing wrong with this wicket. If Australia has failed to adapt, that is their fault and their problem.

I think shield venue should be required to prepare a dustbowl in one first class game each year to prepare Australian players for these kinds of conditions. With drop in pitches that should be doable.

Otherwise, this kind of thing will happen on every tour to the subcontinent.

on February 26, 2013, 10:23 GMT

I think the pitch deteriorated considerably on day 4. Before that it was a good batting track. This is how it is in India. Australia better get used to it or ready for a whitewash.

Yes it is the same writer who had bashed Dhoni during the Eng series. Not surprising. Now Dhoni would be a hero and all his tactics would be appreciated. In our country a person is a hero one day and zero the next day.

mylife4cricket
on February 26, 2013, 10:11 GMT

Nothing to blame about the pitch, it was typical subcontinental wicket and the Aussies made the wrong decision with their bowling line-ups.So many people blamed that the pitch was not good but Indian team's batting proved how good that was to bat.Its just that weakness of Australia against spin.And still many don't know about the nature of our wickets and they keep on blaming and there is some thing they need to know and that is even if we add grass to the pitch or prepare a wicket for pacers,it will not change.It will continue favouring spinners and that's the history of Indian pitches.

on February 26, 2013, 9:29 GMT

Isn't this the same writer who bashed Dhoni and his captaincy during the England Tour?

gsingh7
on February 26, 2013, 9:26 GMT

When Micheal clark has scored a century, pitch was perfect. When two Indian batsmen scored centuries with one of them done at break neck speed, it was a flat wicket. When the inept and spineless performances from Aussie batsmen happen, all of a sudden it is mine field....Hmm...when do the double standards end?

baskar_guha
on February 26, 2013, 9:25 GMT

Ashwin bowled very well in the first innings especially by using the length and pace to befuddle the Aussies. Jadeja was accurate and on this pitch that was enough to get a few wickets. Harbhajan is a shadow of his past and unless he shows something special, this may be his last test series. Nathan Lyon despite going for lots of runs bowled some fine deliveries and seemed to hit his stride in the second innings. I expect the Aussies to have a better showing in Hyderabad as without pitch assistance, Indian bowling is fairly toothless but the Aussies can get something out of any deck.

Mushtanda
on February 26, 2013, 8:43 GMT

Cliches and hyperboles not cricketing knowledge is what has become hallmark of Cricinfo articles these days.

csr11
on February 26, 2013, 8:29 GMT

The difference between the two sides was obviously Dhoni.. His assault on the new ball straight after lunch on Day 3 was what turned the match over.. from that moment pattinson was no longer the dreadful strike bowler who gets a wicket in every short 3 over spell an the pressure was on lyon..Well played India and well played captain.. No time to rest on laurels though, the openers problem still needs to be fixed and Shikhar Dhawan needs to be given a chance. On the spin side, please lets get the two best spinners in the side - and that would be Ojha and Ashwin (of those that are in the side for first 2 tests)..
Also want to comment the aussie team and fans for the spirit in which the series has begun.. seems like the only people whining about the pitches are the usual pommy trolls..

Pramod2179
on February 26, 2013, 7:56 GMT

Fine article! But Clarke 122, Sachin 81, Kohli 108, Dhoni 220 does not indicate spiteful wicket. Henriques second innings 80 plus is about technique. Spiteful yes! Was it really so spiteful? Is it all about technique?

bonaku
on February 26, 2013, 7:52 GMT

Sharda is wrong to say dirt-lane. It is part of the test match (skills) to prove that you are good on dirt-land and swamp-land (like in England) or in grass-fields (like in Aus or saf - may be you can find some derogatory name if you want). That is why you called it a test-match. I feel every wicket taken by spin pitches by a spinner is as valuable as a fast bowler taking a wicket on a fast pitches. At the end of the day, ever one will get an opportunity to play their part on the same pitch.

on February 26, 2013, 7:48 GMT

This was a very good test match pitch.All technically sound batsmen scored plenty of runs and world class spin and fast bowling got wickets.Thank god it was not one of the road tracks where any one who can hold a bat scores a trillion of runs.

warneneverchuck
on February 26, 2013, 7:34 GMT

Well played. Excellent pitch. It produced runs wickets everything. Those who r saying pitch was not good don't know anything abt cricket. If pitch favors pace and swing it's a sporting wicket but if it turns like this it's not a good wicket ? I can't understand this logic. I m sure ENG would have won with a big margin on this pitch as they have 2 quality spinners and great player of spin in KP cook prior etc

on February 26, 2013, 7:29 GMT

what about new sensation Philander.....ms sharda urga

on February 26, 2013, 7:22 GMT

As a neutral, that was a cracking test match and a cracking pitch. No declarations, a result on the fifth day, a double century, two other centuries, five fors for both pace and spin. How can anyone moan about that?

Tango_Alpha
on February 26, 2013, 7:18 GMT

This is as usual a biased outlook towards Indian wickets. When India goes to Australia, and gets out on bouncy and pacy wickets, then they have faulty techniques and don't know how to play fast bowlers. And when the same thing happens to OZ team and they gets out to spinners, the fault lies in the pitch and not in the technique of batsmen.
If that's the case, why have series on Indian or sub-continent turfs, just play test matches in Australia, South Africa and England.
It would be better for teams like Australia to nurture and pick better spinners and use these spinning tracks and not blame the pitch for their lack of technique (take some hint from England).
Test cricket is not just about playing swinging and bouncing bowling, its about adapting to all conditions.

AnoopXI
on February 26, 2013, 7:02 GMT

I dont understand y everyone find new faults wen india win matches. wat wer the pitches like in aus and eng wen india went there. they prepared pitches for their fast bowlers. Dont forget that among the touring teams to overseas india has the best record. all wer putting pakistan to do well in SA. wat happend there 3-0. atleast india went on to make 1-1 in SA and nearly won the 3rd test. for foreign teams coming to india is just like india touring overseas. except eng last series who have won consistently here. but india has done better wen touring overseas for the last decade barring 8-0 whitewash. This test was special win as india lost the toss and australia were batting on the better portion of the pitch first day and dhoni's innings was exceptional to say the least. well played india.

on February 26, 2013, 6:53 GMT

If India wins then you have all sort of people like Ugra who will find faults with pitches , umpires, or if there is nothing else go behind the captain. The pitch played good , Indians played better , give them some credit, if this pitch is given to a pakistani, Sri Lankan or now even a English team, it would have been competitive, you need spinners to win in India. Remember when India won in SA, it won on tracks where either team struggled to score 300... good tracks can make a good bowler look great just like how avg tracks make ordinary batsman look like greats..BTW, I was not a great fan of Clarke, but now I stand converted, Sachin Tendulkar of Australia ... this guy is some serious talent..along with Amla he is one of the best in the world..

hnlns
on February 26, 2013, 6:49 GMT

Looking at this pitch, I think India should stop grumbling if they get a rank greentop at Brisbane or whereever the first test is held the next time they go to Australia. The best thing is that Clarke and Henriques showed that they are going to take the Indian spinners head on. Same attitude needs to be shown by our batsmen when they are confronted with a greentop, not making noises and giving hollow excuses. In the same tone, James Pattinson showed that a fast bowler can also thrive on such an up and down surface. Our spinners need to show the same character when they get to bowl on pitches that just don't crumble and give little or no help to them, when they get to bowl in Australia. Overall, it was an enjoyable contest, though if Aussies had provided another 50 to 100 more runs, things could have been very tricky for India.

on February 26, 2013, 6:41 GMT

While I think it is justified India dishing out pitch to match its strength similar to Aussie preparing fast tracks to aid themselves, to the people who says this is the reason India don't perform well IMO we can always vouch for fast tracks for domestic games but when it comes to international it should be per team;s strength. To be a called good batsman don't forget you have to play well on all kind of pitches, ask Ricky Pointing about his India record!

Eight8
on February 26, 2013, 6:35 GMT

As an Aussie, I've got no problem with this pitch (as an Indian pitch). One of the greatest things about test cricket is seeing all the varied conditions (pitch, atmospheric conditions, ground size, etc) of various countries. Test cricket should be just that and cricket is lucky enough to have a variety of conditions compared to other sports with stock standard playing fields or conditions.

Test cricket should be a test and I love seeing if our boys can overcome challenging conditions O/S and get a result. Wish we'd played better but the pitch was ceryainly no dud. Aussies made 380 in the first innings afterall! And 240-odd in the 2nd dig. Scores that wouldn't be out of place in Aus or SA so certainly no minefield.

Say Dhoni makes 115 only and it's a different game. 2nd innings would have been a cracker. Well played India (they were the better side) and hopefully the Aussies keep improving and do well in the 2nd test. BTW, their overseas record is very good over the last 2 years.

Dravid_Pujara_Gravitas
on February 26, 2013, 6:14 GMT

@Meety, one more thing, what about Border, Haydos, Hussey, Gilly, Langer, Martyn, Waughs? You couldn't say that they are weak against spin. That's skill again for you. The reason I'm suggesting all these things for both our countries is - I love Aussies very much, especially our IPL buddies Ricky, Hussey, Clarke, Warner and Warnie dude above all (though I can't stand some arrogant pricks in your team). I felt sad to see Warner getting beaten time and again. Cowan put up a brave fight - but it was a fight for survival and survival only. It does tell me that these new aussie cricketers definitely don't have the skill level of say a Hussey or a Border or a Clarke. So, it is even more imperative that CA provides them with spiteful and spinning tracks in Australia for practice. I do feel Pujara and Kohli are talented enough against pace just like our past legends. But BCCI should take this seriously and prepare fast pitches for practice. CA and BCCI can work together on these fronts, IMO.

on February 26, 2013, 6:12 GMT

@Adrian Campanaro: For god sake, stop whining! England won in India because they had 2 top class spinners in Swann and Monty, who were far better than the indian spinners. If Lyon plays alongside Doherty ( ideally O Keefe should be flown in given that he has a better first class record), there's no reason why Aus can't win. So instead of complaining about the pitch, try and look for good spinners instead!

venkatesh018
on February 26, 2013, 5:58 GMT

I am not at all fond of this anti-pacemen Chepauk pitch which destroys Indian cricketers' ability to perform overseas and also makes average spinners unplayable, but I will take it any day over that dreadful anti-cricket Nagpur pitch on which India needed to win to square the series against England.

bumpu
on February 26, 2013, 5:53 GMT

Why are pitches with pace and bounce, where the slips are standing on the 30 yard circle not termed spiteful? All those criticising the pitch need to understand that both the teams played on the same pitch and the team which used its resources better won. Fair and square.

Dravid_Pujara_Gravitas
on February 26, 2013, 5:42 GMT

@Meety, thanks for quoting me mate. How are you? Yes, just the way India will be found out somewhere else from home, Australia will be found out somewhere else from home. To counter that, it's not the pitches that need to change in the respective countries, it's the personnel's skills. What about Clarke? He is born and bred on Aussie pitches. But still he is probably the best batsman of spin in the world. How? That's skill for you. Statchin, Dravid, Sunny G, Vishy, VVS, - bred on spin friendly tracks but they are no slouches against pace - Skill again. Yes, we can have domestic pitches and practice pitches that help pace so that our batsmen can practice on them and likewise Aussies can have spin friendly tracks for your batsmen's practice. This has to be a long-term plan for both our countries to polish the skills at the two extremes. Once our (Aus/Ind) players develop those two skills, series will be fought with much intensity whenever we (Aus/Ind) travel to each other's shores.

chin-music
on February 26, 2013, 5:34 GMT

I hope Indian fans realize that amidst all the hoopla of winning this test match - the seeds of our next 4-0 whitewashes in Eng & Aus have already been planted. Keep makng dust bowls where your 2 fast bowlers hardly get to bowl , let alone get wickets ; where your batsmen score only when even the 4 Aussie pacemen cannot get the ball to rise above the wasit ---- & then at the end of it keep wondering why the Indian team plays so differently outside of dust bowls.

on February 26, 2013, 4:28 GMT

@SG_Styles - One innings to Vijay and he is a waste. I think RSharma deserves a few more chances...

crkt4evr
on February 26, 2013, 3:47 GMT

while its challenging for India to face swing n bouncy conditions away from home its similar for foreigners to face sub continental conditions so its normal and part n parcel of game which makes it exciting n interesting along with it bringing and testing all aspects of players....so dont whine about either of them!

Meety
on February 26, 2013, 2:59 GMT

@Dravid_Gravitas on (February 25, 2013, 18:11 GMT) - very true. India are obviously better suited to playing cricket on the Pitch that was produced in this match, but a diet of these sort of pitches will leave India exposed around the rest of the world.

Meety
on February 26, 2013, 2:56 GMT

@DeCiDeR on (February 25, 2013, 17:02 GMT) "Did Australia, England or South Africa made pitches which are spinner friendly?" - the reality is, that every single one of those countries have pitches that are spin-friendly. The fundamental difference is at what stage does a pitch's conditions start at. The countries you named, tend to have more "juice" in the pitch on Day 1, they then deteriorate significantly & bring spinners more into play. Whilst I will NOT blame the pitch for Oz being in a terrible position, I do not like the type of pitch where by it is devoid of any grass on Day 1. IMO - it takes a large chunk of the exciting aspects of a game out of play. I want to see an opening batsmen having to jump onto the back foot to play a short of a length ball or instead hook/pull it for 4. I believe Indian fans get short changed. There is soomething wrong when you have a specialist pace bowler who is ignored for 94 overs as per Oz's 2nd innings.

on February 26, 2013, 2:38 GMT

2 years ago India came to AUS complaining our wickets suited our fast bowlers.
What is exactly are they doing now...what a crap pitch.
When was the last time all 20 wickets were taken by spinners..???

funkybluesman
on February 26, 2013, 2:21 GMT

People should also remember that India has players suited to dusty spinning pitches and Australia players suited to hard bouncy grassy pitches because they are the sort of pitches prepared in those countries at all different levels of play.

It's not so much that they prepare pitches to suit their team as that their teams are suited to those sorts of pitches because that is what they grow up with in their country.

The pitch will likely get very difficult to bat on as the fifth day goes on, even with India v Lyon and the pace attack, so India are glad for the first innings lead.

The real difference in this game has been MS Dhoni, pure and simple. Get him out for under 50 and Australia are in a strong position with everything else the same. But he took India from a precarious position to a huge lead and basically won the match for them almost singlehandedly.

AidanFX
on February 26, 2013, 2:14 GMT

Inasmuch as India should win this match easily - I reckon Australia should go into the rest of this series with confidence. They need to find a better plan to fight spin - but if the pitches throughout the series prove to be but half decent pitches which require a decent pace attack - well India will struggle.

funkybluesman
on February 26, 2013, 2:02 GMT

Re: Nitin Patil
Actually, there were a number of years where the WACA used a different soil in the pitches and it lost a lot of pace and spinners were taking a lot of wickets there. They've since dug that up, sourced some of the original soil and tried to return it more to it's classic pace and bounce.

landl47
on February 26, 2013, 1:51 GMT

The only wicket I have criticized in the tests in India has been the Nagpur one in the England series, not because it was too easy to get batsmen out but because it was too difficult. That wicket was impossible to score quickly on (I think it was even slower than Sehwag running) but easy to survive on. 5 days and only 14 wickets falling is not a good cricket wicket. It happened to benefit England, who were one-up in the series, but that didn't make it a good wicket.

This wicket saw Aus make 380 in the first innings and India get 572 in reply. Even in the second innings Aus has made 232-9, not far from par for the 3rd innings of a test. There's something for the bowlers, but if Henriques and Lyon can stay in, it's hardly unplayable.

When Johnson was breaking fingers (including Warner's) in Aus I saw no reason for the Sri Lankans to complain and I see no reason for Aus to complain now (and they won't). It's the fans who need to stop saying it's unfair- it isn't.

on February 26, 2013, 1:31 GMT

Bhajji was just a shadow of his old self. Scope for his "development" / improvement will be a joke! Joke for us and joke on him.Jadeja, being young and new to test cricket can develop. Moreover he is willing to listen to seniors and learn. So... Bhajji should be OUT. Jadeja should be IN. Give him a few more chances. (At least half of what we had given Rohit)

on February 26, 2013, 1:14 GMT

Yeah yeah yeah; so Indian spinners are able to take some wickets on a dustbowl! Whoud'a thunkit? I dont neccessarily class that as great bowling. Dhoni's Innings was good but for my mind Pattinson's performance is the most notable and in conditions that are completely inhospitable. Imagine what he will be able to do on an English greentop!

Temuzin
on February 26, 2013, 0:58 GMT

@NYC-Missile,

The great Dhoni will be captain in all three formats. He is the greatest captain India has ever had. He owns all record of captaincy leading behind every Indian captain. He owns every wicket keeping records and is the greatest ODI player in the world. Please stop your lunatic ranting and anti-Dhoni crusades. No one is going to listen to your whining. Did you here Kris Srikanth praising Dhoni and his double ton as "OUT of THIS WORLD" Did you here Laxman praising Dhoni who a day before was very critical. Look Dhoni is gift of God to India and we are very proud of him and he is the fittest person to lead India in all three formats. get it.

I hope you use the same term for the green tops that India is going to get when they tour South Africa or Australia

Ms.Cricket
on February 25, 2013, 23:29 GMT

If Ojha was playing instead of Harbhajan the match would be finished by now.

Matth
on February 25, 2013, 23:15 GMT

Great day's cricket. Dohni (and to a lesser extent Cowan's dropped catch) has been the difference. What a marvelous innings. The pitch is not completely terrible, it's just a day too old. There should have been some life on Day 1, and what we saw today should have been a Day 5 pitch. That is an acceptable variation, although you'd hate to be a pace bowler in India. Henriques, take a bow. That is a great effort in your first test.
RE 2nd test: Aus should leave the top 7 as is. Watson is going home after the 2nd test so whoever is dropped (unless it's Watson - won't happen he's the VC) will just have to comne back in. So leave it, with Khawaja in for the third test.
Doherty must play if the pitch is similar (I don't rate him but noone else). I would also bring in Johnson as he has more stamina at this stage than Starc. Leave our Siddle and Starc.

ozziespirit
on February 25, 2013, 22:53 GMT

I'm an Ozzie and a big fan of good cricket, but I have to say we are at our lowest point EVER in our cricketing history. I have never seen such incapable players like Wade, Warner, Lyon, Siddle and led by a captain who's a proven batting pro, but the most incompetent leader of any Australian side. Ever. There's been no development of young players, no chances to try logical selection for a tour like this one. as for the Ashes, we can forget it. Just as bad we are at spin in India, we're going to be even worse playing in genuine swinging conditions. The first test is at nottingham, the most notorious swinging ground in the country. Patto will be lethal but anderson takes wickets for fun up there, and Cook is always tough to get out.

PPD123
on February 25, 2013, 22:30 GMT

I dont want to jinx it, but I am really jittery about this last wkt partnership. Funnier things have happened in cricket, and with India you just never know. They say it aint over till the fat lady sings - and it is so true. India shud not let their guard down. They should come hard and finish things off. Chasing less than 50 shud be ok, but I dont think there will be smiles if the target is closer to 100. Remember India shot Aus out for 93 in Mumbai when chasing just over a 100. Dhoni should not be ultra defensive. Lyon is no mug and can easily stick around and I would have an in & out field for Henriques. Fingers crossed Ind should get this done with in 90 mins of play.

krishsatheesh
on February 25, 2013, 22:05 GMT

It is a good test match wicket, Chennai wicket always produces some good test match, Most of the times test match goes for 5 days or 4. Unlike like some of the flat tracks or some of the tailor made green top like perth etc., I am still not convinced why Michael Clarke as a leader of the team did not walk after edging the ball in the first innings and he felt really guilty that he foxed the umpire by taking guard on to this 5th stump... Where is the sportsmanship and what example he is giving to youngsters by this methods... He should not only show his charming covered drives and drive down the ground but also has to have good sportsmanship... Like all I am impressed with Henriques Innings and so as Pattinson... I would have loved the so called leader of the attack Peter Siddle to bowl well.. Unfortunately as Geffory boycott as even ... can bat his bowling no energy at all. Hope they come up with some formula to counter attack Indians in the next test. Else 4-0 bashing on cards.

vrok007
on February 25, 2013, 22:01 GMT

@Mitcher, If both teams are faltering, then you could have seen 49/50 complaining about the pitches. But if one team is able to stamp their authority, then it shows the inability of the other team to play SPIN bowling. It's got to do with the talent of the individuals and not the pitches.

tests_the_best
on February 25, 2013, 21:51 GMT

@Drakester Bomber, the comment regarding Dhoni's innings - "If we take that out, then Australia has a handy lead going into day 5 and a chance of winning." That really is a pointless speculation. How about saying if we take out Clarke's century (and mind you he was lucky as well), Aus might have been rolled over for around 250 and Ind would have had the lead anyway even without Dhoni innings. Lots of victories over the entire history of the game have been secured by one key spell of bowling or one key innings or even in some cases a key catch/drop and speculating what would have happened otherwise is rather pointless.

fairness
on February 25, 2013, 21:33 GMT

Well - When Indians come to Perth, Aussies give them a concrete deck, every time. Every country makes pitches to suit their team. Ugra would sound more professional if the discussion is about the skills needed to survive on any given conditions than characterising the pitch.

Temuzin
on February 25, 2013, 21:12 GMT

Well played India. They played to their strength and are on the verge of winning this series opener. Dhoni and spinners (particularly Ashwin) with their forceful dominance are the reaon for this win. Their total dominance has made some of the most unpatriotic anti-Dhoni fans who had predicted 4-0 loss for India under Devil Dhoni are proclaiming to be patriotic now.Just imagine a former India chief selector who has called Dhoni as unfit for test cricket, had proclaimed Dhoni's double ton is out of this world. He was very effusive in praising dhoni this time. Such is the nature of cricket, a great performance and a great win changes it all. Great Job Dhoni. Keep it up.

Make Kohli the captain for at least the ODI series after this one before handing him the toughest assignment currently in World cricket:SA tour.I see no change of fortunes in tests abroad under Dhoni because I remember WI series & NZ wins only too well with two thrashings against Oz & Eng on either side.In fact as Ganguly had pointed out earlier,we might also lose him as a player/batsman if he captains all forms of the game.So time for some innovative and dispassionate thinking from the Board/ selectors..

SG_Styles
on February 25, 2013, 20:43 GMT

Good to see the rise of Moises - a test cricketer.The kind of temperament n patience he's shown - amazing. All the very best, Henriques.
Abt Oz batting (apart frm Mose) - it's been really a poor performance. Not that they're up against a very high quality spin attack nor d pitch is unplayable (- their last pair's shown it). Its just d poor technique n a negative mindset they've - affected them. d squad-selection was out of sense. Yeah, agree that d Oz doesnt have some very good spinners, but should've used all d resources available. four pacers bt only a (mediocre) spinner on d Chepauk pitch wud never help U to win a Test. For d next test, I'd like to see some changes in d Oz XI - Doherty in for Siddle/Starc, Khawaja for Hughes. Watson should be opening with Warner, n MJ at #4.
Also, India should play Ojha. N what to say abt ignoring Rahane consistently? Rahane is the most deserving candidate for d opening slot in d country. Meanwhile Vijay's been a waste.

Mitcher
on February 25, 2013, 20:36 GMT

Seems to me like maybe 1/50 comments makes genuine complaints about the pitch, followed by 49 overly defensive Indian fans claiming 'everyone' should stop complaining about the pitch. Deep breaths guys. Deep breaths.

nyc_missile
on February 25, 2013, 20:09 GMT

As an Indian I cant help but get carried away by the win(surely no surprises now) due to emotional and patriotic reasons..but somehow it feels me that as a captain if he continues,we will pay for it in the long term.After all,same happened against Eng too.1 win & tapered off in the rest.I still stick to my stand.Have Dhoni anchor the middle order as a power batsman but drop him as a captain.We need to look ahead for future and not rejoice in wins that come sparingly at home too..

StatisticsRocks
on February 25, 2013, 20:08 GMT

Absolute dust bowl, no doubt about it. @Dravid_Gravitas, As an Indian, it is good to see you don't have STATCHIN_Selfishkar in your name anymore. Agree with most of your comments. Only Michael Clark seems to know what he is doing. No clue why Bhajji and Jadeja are in the team. I would have played Ojha for sure. I haven't seen much about Rasool, so cannot comment about his talents. Hats off to Pattinson for bowling his heart out that too at 150k's...Lets have some green wickets in India...

Al_Bundy1
on February 25, 2013, 19:56 GMT

If Parvez Rasool was bowling in tandem with Ashwin, this match would have been over by now. Bhajji got 100ths test as a gift - now it's time to get rid of him. We have much better spinners in Rasool, Saxena, Nadeem, and Dhruv. Bhajji and Jadeja are not suitable for test matches - let them play IPL.

happy-go-lucky
on February 25, 2013, 19:50 GMT

@Batmanindallas : Lets 1st pick the best team that can win this series. SA is few months away. Dont forget we lost the last home series. In any case, doesn't matter whom you select, we are gonna get steamrolled against the current SA attack.

on February 25, 2013, 19:48 GMT

Indian spinners haven't bowled particularly well on a favourable track - really the only difference in the match is the innings of Dhoni. If we take that out, then Australia has a handy lead going into day 5 and a chance of winning. Well done to Indian skipper - seems to be the Indian national sport to bash this guy.

SG_Styles
on February 25, 2013, 19:46 GMT

The Chepauk pitch's been spinning n spitting a hell. This is a real Test for Aussies. In order to improve as a test side, Its always imp to play on different surfaces in diff conditions. Now many (not an indian, sure) are complaining abt d pitch being a dustbowl, spitting n bla bla. If its unfair to make such a dustbowl, then what abt a green, swinging, fast, bouncy tracks f Gabba, Cape etc? Its equally challenging for a subcontinental side. Every team has a right to play with their strengths - utilising an Home advantage. So, no wrong in Indian pt of view.
Now our main aim should be to play to our strengths n win d series in d home condn convincingly. But would also love to see India win again in the overseas .

m812
on February 25, 2013, 19:02 GMT

If only any other spinner other than Harbhajan was part of Indian team...victory would have been achieved on Day 4 itself.

Webba84
on February 25, 2013, 18:42 GMT

And for the record, I think this pitch is fine. It's been a great game of cricket that Dhoni managed to push in his teams favor with a brilliant innings. Wish everyone from India and Australia would just appreciate that and stop whining about everything, people would be forgiven for thinking none of us fans actually enjoyed anything about the game! And the smarmy English who come on to make disparaging remarks about both teams can gth to be honest, we'll see about things come ashes time and as much as you want to fill yourselves with false bravado predicting an unknown and unknowable future is a foolish, childish and futile activity. Hows about we all wait and see, mm?

Webba84
on February 25, 2013, 18:38 GMT

@Decider Sydney has been known for decades as a good spinner's wicket. I agree with you though, Aus have nobody to blame but their own inability to adjust to conditions for this impending loss but the idea that Indian pitches are as varied and suited to all styles of test play as the variety found in Australia is pure biased rubbish. Learn better.

Dravid_Pujara_Gravitas
on February 25, 2013, 18:11 GMT

Ugra, to think that this Indian bowling has only one excellent spinner (Ashwin). Imagine the plight of the Aussies if we weren't too emotional about Harbhajan Singh, it would have been Ojha and Ashwin in tandem. Throw Rasool in the mix. Match would have been over by now. No disrespect to Michael Clarke. He simply doesn't have quality spinners at his disposal. Also, barring him, there is nobody who is able to negotiate spin with authority. May be Moises. But nobody else. Excellent batsmen of spin (India) are facing a decent spinner (Lyon) and decent batsmen of spin (Australia) are facing an excellent spinner (Aswhin) and two good spinners (Harbhajan and Jadeja). That's the difference in this match. Yes, it is a dustbowl and a spiteful pitch. But, if the above stated reasons/answers can be reversed (ie if Australia had better personnel), Aussies would have been in the driver's seat, regardless of the pitch. In the future, Aussies should develop their allround game and so should India.

Surajdon9
on February 25, 2013, 18:09 GMT

Last pair Batting shows real class, Talent and ability of Indian Bowlers..ha ha ha well played Moises ...Come on Aussies We can still win the Match But for that the Batting line of india Must be Chris Martin(NZ), Gleen McGrath (AUS) ,
Courtney Walsh(WI), Pommie Mbangwa(ZIM), Martin Saggers(ENG), Jack Saunders(AUS), Bert Ironmonger(AUS), Bhagwat Chandrasekhar(IND), Manjural Islam(BAN), Maninder Singh(IND), Fidel Edwards (WI)

lokphy
on February 25, 2013, 17:54 GMT

If India want to achieve #1 status again and retail it for longer period, it should do as follows: 1. Make two test teams (obviously few players will be common), one for Asian pitches and other for seaming pitches. 2. Nurture good spinners and prepare turning tracks for visiting teams in India 3. In foreign, try to make draw if cannot win with suitable batsmen having solid defense and 3-4 pacers.

rahulStillHeaded
on February 25, 2013, 17:53 GMT

When will the double standards end ?? If it spins and bite, it is a dust bowl, spiteful and bad wicket, but if it is all green and swings like crazy it is the best wicket in the world !! As though playing spin takes no skills :)

I love this Chennai pitch (Not because we are winning but because it is a real TEST)

on February 25, 2013, 17:33 GMT

ok people....stop talking about what india will do on green tops because this is clearly not a green top! also...do you expect the ball to seam of the surface bouncing at waist high on the sub continent? no! so look at this situation and understand because aus has come to india and they need to learn to get to the pitch of the ball and smother the spin! waiting for the ball will only cause panic to build inside you and soon enough you will probely be bowled or LBW. also...people need to enjoy this amazing cricket..there has been great cricket coming from both sides and there has to be a winner...india seems to be likely to win this first test...this is going to be one interesting seiries!

MiddleStump
on February 25, 2013, 17:29 GMT

Make no mistake, this pitch is not spiteful. Nearly a thousand runs were scored in the first innings, and 250 is pretty average for the third innings on any test match. The surface itself is solid local clay and is holding up well. But the composition of the two teams with a mix of both left arm (Starc, Jadeja) and right arm (Pattinson, Sharma) bowlers who create prominent footmarks has produced a few spots of sharp turn and uneven bounce. It requires skill and good mental temperament to get runs. It is an excellent test of character that separates the men from the boys. Bhuvaneswar Kumar batting at 10 showed how it is to be done. It is no surprise that Clarke, Dhoni, and Kohli got runs. Henriques has batted very well. He has managed to frustrate three spinners in both innings. On the other hand, Wade and Siddle got out playing atrocious shots. But it is always easier to blame the pitch for all real and imagined demons.

Batmanindallas
on February 25, 2013, 17:29 GMT

Is Jadeja a spinner or an all rounder. If he is an all rounder then he is very inadequate...again short sighted policy. It will be fun to see him play in Africa....

crashed
on February 25, 2013, 17:09 GMT

Nah even the Ausie team were so afraid of the SA bowlers that they prepared 2 roads to negate Steyn and Co last November. If they can do that then I am sure the Indians is quite within their rights to prepare pitches that suit their bowlers :)

DeCiDeR
on February 25, 2013, 17:02 GMT

Most of the countries make pitches to their strength. Did Australia, England or South Africa made pitches which are spinner friendly? No. So why should India make pitches which are Fast Bowler friendly. They should stick to their strengths. Nothing wrong. BTW.. This pitch has produce lots of run from 1st inning from both Australia and India.. How come Australia did not score above 500 when they batted first after winning toss. India score over 500 on Day 2 and 3. It is Australia who needs to blame themselves for not batting properly.

on February 25, 2013, 16:59 GMT

When Micheal clark has scored a century, pitch was perfect. When two Indian batsmen scored centuries with one of them done at break neck speed, it was a flat wicket. When the inept and spineless performances from Aussie batsmen happen, all of a sudden it is mine field....Hmm...when do the double standards end? When Mitchel clarc and co blow away Indian batting line up on WACA (the fastest and bouncy pitch ) they are the conditions that existed ! When a dust bowls greets a visiting team, pitches are doctored ! As if the pitches just like that happened in Perth, Johannesberg with no curator intervention what so ever!!

LankaGod
on February 25, 2013, 16:54 GMT

@Jordanmacmillan88 Remove your blinkers. There are different type of pitches around the world and this is the challenge of playing in the subcontinent. If you can't handle it, do not bother to turn up. England just showed India what a quality spinner in Ashley Giles could do and defeat the home side at their own game. A certain Shane Warne would have dismantled this Indian inexperienced batting line up pretty easy. What you do not have in your team is a quality spinner today. Stop being a cry baby and so precious about only green top pitches.

chsj
on February 25, 2013, 16:47 GMT

Hi, I think it is hyperbole to say the surface resembles something too alien (like moon). Pl. look at the number of batsmen who got starts as well as the stand being built by the last wicket pair. Pl. don't tell Nathan Lyon worked out the technique much like Henriques has. No doubt the wicket may have suited the kind of bowling Indians could serve up. If the pitch was that bad, I can guarantee Harbhajan would make it a 150- innings for Australia.

on February 25, 2013, 16:24 GMT

If Harbhajan is there in the team ,then its going to be a great advantage to Ashwin. Because Harbhajan will make the batsman quite whereas on the other end Ashwin will be posing questions to the Batsman.

Sir.Ivor
on February 26, 2013, 4:46 GMT

This Chepauk wicket was something like the one that was on offer for the Test match between India and West Indies in 1974. India were bowled out for 190 odd with Vishwanath playing a superlative innings of 97 n.o I think. That was against Andy Roberts,Boyce, Julien and Holder. West Indies scored got a lead of about 3 or 4 only thanks to Prasanna and Bedi. Then India thanks to Gaekwad, India scored a decent 250 odd in the second innings. Roberts Boyce and Co more than any particular spinner took the wickets. West Indies needed about 250 odd to win and Prasanna and Bedi bowled them out for about 100 odd leaving India the winners by a good margin. The point is that that wicket had something for all kinds of bowlers and good technically sound and fearless batsmen scored runs as well. On this wicket also Clarke, Dhoni, Henriques, and Cowan scored well. Sachin also got back to a sembleance of form.The point is that the wicket was a fair wicket even if some balls behaved oddly.

on February 25, 2013, 16:24 GMT

If Harbhajan is there in the team ,then its going to be a great advantage to Ashwin. Because Harbhajan will make the batsman quite whereas on the other end Ashwin will be posing questions to the Batsman.

chsj
on February 25, 2013, 16:47 GMT

Hi, I think it is hyperbole to say the surface resembles something too alien (like moon). Pl. look at the number of batsmen who got starts as well as the stand being built by the last wicket pair. Pl. don't tell Nathan Lyon worked out the technique much like Henriques has. No doubt the wicket may have suited the kind of bowling Indians could serve up. If the pitch was that bad, I can guarantee Harbhajan would make it a 150- innings for Australia.

LankaGod
on February 25, 2013, 16:54 GMT

@Jordanmacmillan88 Remove your blinkers. There are different type of pitches around the world and this is the challenge of playing in the subcontinent. If you can't handle it, do not bother to turn up. England just showed India what a quality spinner in Ashley Giles could do and defeat the home side at their own game. A certain Shane Warne would have dismantled this Indian inexperienced batting line up pretty easy. What you do not have in your team is a quality spinner today. Stop being a cry baby and so precious about only green top pitches.

on February 25, 2013, 16:59 GMT

When Micheal clark has scored a century, pitch was perfect. When two Indian batsmen scored centuries with one of them done at break neck speed, it was a flat wicket. When the inept and spineless performances from Aussie batsmen happen, all of a sudden it is mine field....Hmm...when do the double standards end? When Mitchel clarc and co blow away Indian batting line up on WACA (the fastest and bouncy pitch ) they are the conditions that existed ! When a dust bowls greets a visiting team, pitches are doctored ! As if the pitches just like that happened in Perth, Johannesberg with no curator intervention what so ever!!

DeCiDeR
on February 25, 2013, 17:02 GMT

Most of the countries make pitches to their strength. Did Australia, England or South Africa made pitches which are spinner friendly? No. So why should India make pitches which are Fast Bowler friendly. They should stick to their strengths. Nothing wrong. BTW.. This pitch has produce lots of run from 1st inning from both Australia and India.. How come Australia did not score above 500 when they batted first after winning toss. India score over 500 on Day 2 and 3. It is Australia who needs to blame themselves for not batting properly.

crashed
on February 25, 2013, 17:09 GMT

Nah even the Ausie team were so afraid of the SA bowlers that they prepared 2 roads to negate Steyn and Co last November. If they can do that then I am sure the Indians is quite within their rights to prepare pitches that suit their bowlers :)

Batmanindallas
on February 25, 2013, 17:29 GMT

Is Jadeja a spinner or an all rounder. If he is an all rounder then he is very inadequate...again short sighted policy. It will be fun to see him play in Africa....

MiddleStump
on February 25, 2013, 17:29 GMT

Make no mistake, this pitch is not spiteful. Nearly a thousand runs were scored in the first innings, and 250 is pretty average for the third innings on any test match. The surface itself is solid local clay and is holding up well. But the composition of the two teams with a mix of both left arm (Starc, Jadeja) and right arm (Pattinson, Sharma) bowlers who create prominent footmarks has produced a few spots of sharp turn and uneven bounce. It requires skill and good mental temperament to get runs. It is an excellent test of character that separates the men from the boys. Bhuvaneswar Kumar batting at 10 showed how it is to be done. It is no surprise that Clarke, Dhoni, and Kohli got runs. Henriques has batted very well. He has managed to frustrate three spinners in both innings. On the other hand, Wade and Siddle got out playing atrocious shots. But it is always easier to blame the pitch for all real and imagined demons.

on February 25, 2013, 17:33 GMT

ok people....stop talking about what india will do on green tops because this is clearly not a green top! also...do you expect the ball to seam of the surface bouncing at waist high on the sub continent? no! so look at this situation and understand because aus has come to india and they need to learn to get to the pitch of the ball and smother the spin! waiting for the ball will only cause panic to build inside you and soon enough you will probely be bowled or LBW. also...people need to enjoy this amazing cricket..there has been great cricket coming from both sides and there has to be a winner...india seems to be likely to win this first test...this is going to be one interesting seiries!

rahulStillHeaded
on February 25, 2013, 17:53 GMT

When will the double standards end ?? If it spins and bite, it is a dust bowl, spiteful and bad wicket, but if it is all green and swings like crazy it is the best wicket in the world !! As though playing spin takes no skills :)

I love this Chennai pitch (Not because we are winning but because it is a real TEST)